Home Security: Make Sure Your Home is Secure

It was a snowy, winter night about 10 years ago: That's when the burglar tried to break in. Luckily, all of our doors and windows were locked, and the burglar was unsuccessful at breaking into our home. Because the burglar was unprofessional, we were able to trace his attempts and learn the way the burglar had planned his crime. He left boot marks in the snow leading up to every door and window of our house. There were even boot marks on our a/c condenser where he climbed up to open our bedroom window.

According to the FBI, in 2008, there were an estimated 2,222,196 burglaries in the US, 70% of which were burglaries of residential properties. The challenging economy and high unemployment rate have contributed to a rise in burglaries in some areas. Protect your home and family by following some of these tips for making your home secure.

Tips for Making Your Home More Secure

1. Keep doors and windows locked - Make sure your doors and windows are always locked.

2. Deadbolts - Your home should have deadbolt on every entry door, including the door to the garage.

3. Patio doors - Sliding patio doors need to be reinforced to make them secure. Most patio doors come with latches and not secure locking devices. It is easy for an intruder to pry a patio door open at the latch or to lift the door off the track. A track-blocker or "charley bar" is the best way to block your door from entry. A charley bar is a metal bar that attaches to the door frame and extends to the edge of the sliding part of the door.

4. Motion-sensor lights - Installing motion sensor lights is a proven method for deterring burglars. Motion-sensor lights turn on when they sense movement and scare burglars away.

5. Trim shrubbery - Trimming the shrubbery around your home will eliminate places for burglars to hide.

6. Drapes and shades - Keep your window treatments closed at night and in areas where expensive goods are displayed.

7. Glass block windows - Install glass block windows to prevent a break-in through the basement.

8. Neighbors - Your neighbors can be one of the most helpful tools for preventing burglaries. Speak to your neighbors about your concerns and form an informal neighborhood watch for your street.

9. Alarm system - Install an alarm system from a reputable company.

10. Notes - Never leave a note on your door saying that you are not home. Don't announce it on Twitter or Facebook either.

Posted by: Marcy Tate

Photo credit: Home security accessories.com